- Change your PINs or passwords frequently and use combinations of numbers, letters and characters to make them more difficult to crack. Password crackers use dictionary programs to try every conceivable password that might be used. When establishing new credit accounts with businesses, avoid using readily available access codes, such as your mother’s maiden name, pet names or children’s names and/or birthdates.
NEVER respond to requests to “verify” personal financial information online. This technique is called “phishing,” and is never used by legitimate businesses. If someone e-mails you from a foreign country offering a chance to share in millions of dollars by helping them smuggle a dead relative’s fortune into the country through your bank account, ignore it! These are called Nigerian 419 scams and have already cost thousands of Americans millions of dollars.
As with any technology, the methods and the reactions change continuously, so it helps to keep abreast of what is going on regarding identity crimes. Reading the technology section of your newspaper or information from the legitimate businesses you have developed relationships with should keep you informed.
